Collapsible travel commode



L. SALKA COLLAPSIBLE TRAVEL COMMODE March 14, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 20, 1958 INVENTOR. LUDOVIT SALKA 52 W A QW' March 14, 1961 SALKA 2,974,321

I COLLAPSIBLE TRAVEL COMMODE Filed Nov. 20, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ....mm. Will /l INVENTOR' LUDOVIT SALKA azm United States Patent COLLAPSIBLE TRAVEL COMMODE Ludovit Salka, Newtown, Conn.

(P.0. Box 314, Glenbrook, Conn.)

Filed Nov. 20, 1958, Ser. No. 775,162 9 Claims. c1. 4-134 This invention relates to commodes, and more particularly to collapsible commodes especially intended for use when traveling by motor car or the like.

The device of the present invention is intended especially for use by children and infants, although it should be understood that by virtue of a strong construction and by suitable modification in size it may be usable as well by adults especially when camping, traveling, or in other situations where the usual sanitary facilities are not available.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved collapsible travel commode which, when collapsed for purposes of travel or storage has an unobtrusive ap- .pearance, being in the. form of a relatively small, thin travelling case.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved commode device of the above type, which may be easily and quickly set up for use, and which requires but little space when arranged for this purpose.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved commode device in accordance with the foregoing, which is constituted mainly of movably related parts or components permanently secured together, being generally devoid of separate pieces requiring fitting or assembly at the time the commode is to be set up for use.

An, additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved commode device. as above characterized, which is strong and sturdy in use while at the same time being of relatively light weight, and small and compact when collapsed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified bag or container and attachment means therefor, which attachment means is intended to be placed on the seat member of the commode and when so positioned serves as a reinforcement of said member.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel combination bag or container and clamping. means therefor, by which there is facilitated the tight sealing of the bag.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel flexible bag or container for use with a commode, wherein improved'means is provided for facilitating the emptying of the bag by effecting an opening in the lower portion or bottom thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel secondary case for the reception of filled containers or bags, to facilitate the safe handling of the latter until these are properly disposed of.

An additional feature of the invention resides in the provision of a secondary container or case of the above type, which serves an added purpose in maintaining the commode properly set up and in preventing inadvertent collapse of the same during use. p .Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like components throughout the several views, in which:

' panels.

In accordance with the present invention the side and "ice Figure l is a front perspective view of a collapsible travel commode made in accordance with the invention, shown in collapsed condition for carrying purposes or purposes of storage.

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the travel mode of the invention, set up for use.

Fig, 3 is a perspective view of the commode, showing a beginning step in dismantling it from the fully set up condition.

Fig. 4 is a view like Figs. 2 and 3 but showing a still further step in the collapsing of the commode.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bag or container for usev with the commode. Removably attached to the mouth portion of the container is an adapter or securing ring intended to be fitted into the seat opening of the commode.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the container after being filled and removed from the commode, showing the sealing arrangement utilized.

Fig. 7 is a view like Fig. 6 but without the sealin clip, showing the method of folding the bag.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fiat rigid carrying or storage container, in which the filled and sealed bag may be placed to insure safe handling for temporary storage.

Referring first to Figs. 1 through 4, the collapsible travel commode as provided by the invention comprises a generally fiat, thin, rigid seat member 10, preferably constituted as a panel having in its center portion a relatively large seat opening 12. Secured to the side and rear edges of the seat member 10 are side supports 14 and 15 respectively and a rear support 16, said supports being arranged to extend downward from the seat cover for supporting the same in a raised plane, as shown in Fig. 2. a

As seen in this figure, the commode is set up for use, andfor such condition the lower portions of the side supports 14, 15 engage a base 18 which latter also is con nected with the rear support 16. The base 18 has portions 20,21, 22, and 23 constituting the bottom, two sides, and front and rear of a shallow carrying case the cornbottom 20 of which has an appreciable size or expanse as readily seen in Fig. 3. In conjunction with the parts or portions 20, 21, 22 and 23, the rear support 16 isin accordance with the invention arrangedto constitute the top of the said carrying case, said rear support being for this purpose formed as a thin, rigid panel having a size commensurate with that of the bottom panel 20.

Also, as seenin Figs. 2 and 3, the side supports 14 and 15 are also constituted as thin, rigid panels, and said side supports may be constructed with inwardly curved opposite side edges as seen in Fig. 2, to enhance the appearance of the commode when it is set up for use and provide clearance for adjoining objects such as a car seat or the like. Preferably the seat member 10, the side and rear supports 14, 15 and 16, and the base structure 18 are constituted of steel or aluminum sheet properly reinforced and/or ribbed, thereby to provide the required strength with a minimum of thickness in the rear supports together with the base are so arranged and organized that they will not only support the seat member 10 in operative position in a raised plane as shown in Fig. 2, but also the entire assemblage may be collapsed and formed into a relatively small and compact, unobtrusive carrying case as shown in Fig, 1. Also, in accordance with the invention the above component parts are preferably hingedly connected together sothat they do not constitute separate pieces which may be detached from each other but instead always remain in an assembled relation, while still permitting quick and easy setting up of the commode or collapse thereof as desired.

supports 14, 1S and the end edges of the seat member 10. v,

I also provide hinge connections 32 and 33 between the upper and lower edges of the rear support 16 respectively and the rear edge of the seat member and upper edge of the rear case panel 23. I have found that by such construction the seat member, side and rear; supports, and the base are advantageously joined in a manner permitting them to be folded so as to occupy a very small space, to thereby constitute a compact assemblage when the commode is collapsed, the said assemblage advantageously having the appearance of an unobtrusive carrying case. Also, when it is desired to set up the commode, the side and rear supports and the seat member hingedly connected thereto may be easily and quickly unfolded to obtain the operative positions shown in Fig. 2. Thus, I secure the distinct advantage that when the commode is fully collapsed it has the appearance of an ordinary, small carrying case which is not suggestive in the least of the nature or use of the device. At the same time, the commode may be easily and quickly set up when desired, and will constitute a strong and sturdy structure which is at all times reliable and not likely to collapse or fail.

As an added precaution in connection with this latter, I provide a useful adjunct in the form of a flat, box-like structure 35 adapted to constitute a secondary container as will be later explained in detail, said box-like structure being smaller than the case itself and being adapted to fit within the base 18 as clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The

secondary container or box-like structure 35 is arranged for disposition between the lower end portions of the side supports 14 and 15, thereby to hold the same in their operative positions adjacent the low side panels 21 of the base IS-against inadvertent dislodgement, to thus prevent undesired collapse of the seat member 10 when the commode is set up for use. It will be readily seen that this construction is such as to provide narrow slots 37 between the side panels 21 of the base 18 and the adjoining end panels of the container 35, into which slots the lower portions of the side supports 14, are received, to be thereby held against lateral movement. To further strengthen the commode when it is set up for use, the hinge means 30, 32 and 33 are preferably constituted so that each has a single elongate stiff hinge pin extending'for the full length of the hinge means. By such construction, the stiff hinge pins strongly reinforce the seat member 10 as well as the side and rear supports 14, 15 and 16 and also the rear panel 23 of the base 18. It will be readily appreciated that the stiff hinge pins may be made of any desired practical diameter, whereby they may have great strength and resist bending to a marked degree. This arrangement, in conjunction with the right angled disposition of the seat member 10 with respect to the side and rear supports therefor, provides great strength in the commode.

Further, in accordance with the invention I provide a novel and simplified container or bag for use with the seat member 10 to make the use of the commode completely sanitary in all respects. Referring to Figs. 2 and 5, there is shown a flexible bag or container 40 having a relatively large mouth portion 41 of a size commensurate with that of the seat opening 12 of the seat member 10. The mouth portion 41 of the container 40 is arranged to facilitate its attachment to the seat member 10 around the opening 12 thereof, and for this purpose the said mouth portion is provided with an elastic rim 43 in any suitable manner. .I further provide an attachment or adapter ring '45 by which the mouth portion 41 of the container is secured to the seat member 10 in a quick and easy manner. The attachment ring 45 has a pair of outwardly extending annular flanges 47 and 48 disposed in spaced relation to each other, the flange 48 being of smaller size or diameter than the flange 47 to enable the ring to be placed or fitted in the seat opening 12 with the flange 47 resting on the upper surface of the seat member 10. Theexpansible mouth portion 41 of the container 40 is secured to the ring 45 by snapping the elastic rim 43 of the container over the smaller flange 48 so that the said rim occupies the groove formed between the flanges 47 and 48, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Thus, thecontainer'40 may hang pendent from the seat member 10, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Preferably, the container or bag 40 is constituted as a flat pouch or envelope, and is provided with a slit along its bottom edge and sides, which slit is sealed by an elongate adhesive strip 50 as shown in Fig. 5. By such arrangement, the container 40, while normally securely closed, may be readily opened to discharge its contents, by merely pulling the strip 50 to release the two opposite edges of the slit in the containers.

After the container is filled it is pulled off the ring 45; it then becomes a simple manner to twist the mouth portion of the container and thereafter fold the said portion in a circle as shown in Fig. 7, whereupon a suitable spring clip such as that indicated at 60 in Fig. 6, may be applied over the folded mouth portion, to seal the container.

After the container 40 has been filled and thus sealed, it may be conveniently temporarily stored in the secondary container 35, as shown in Fig. 7. The said secondary container may thus be constituted as a thin box having a pair of expansive opposite sides, and having a hinged end panel 64 arranged to tightly close and seal it.

When the commode is dismantled or collapsed, as shown in Fig. 1, the secondary container 35 may be wholly contained within the case constituted by the base 18, together with the rear support 16, as may be now readily understood.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved collapsible travel commode having many features and advantages. The said commode when collapsed will be constituted as a thin, unobtrusive carrying case, as shown in Fig. 1.

If desired, the commode may be easily and quickly set up for use, and by virtue of the strong, reinforced construction it will be sturdy and not susceptible of collapse during use. Moreover, by the provision of the container 35, placed within the base 18 during use of the commode, there is positively prevented any lateral movement of the side supports, 14, 15 which might cause the commode to inadvertently collapse. By the provision of the bags 40, the commode is rendered completely sanitary, and the holding and sealing of the bags is facilitated by the clip means as shown. After use, the sealed bags may be disposed within the secondary container 35, and the commode again collapsed so that all of the components, together with the used bags may be wholly contained in a sanitary manner. Additional, clean bags may also be stored within the case constituted by the base 18.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A collapsible travel commode comprising a flat seat member having a seat opening; a container having a mouth portion commensurate in size with the said seat opening; means for detachably securing the mouth portion of the container to the seat member about the opening thereof, to hang pendent therefrom; side and rear supports connected respectively to the side and rear edges of said seat member and arranged to extend downward therefrom for supporting the member in a raised plane; a base engaged with said supports, said base having portions constituting the bottom and sides of a carrying tion of the container to the seat member about the open- I ing thereof, to hang pendent therefrom; side and rear supports connected respectively to the side and rear edges of saidseat member and arranged to extend downward therefrom for supporting the member in a raised plane; a base engaged with said supports, said base having portions constituting the bottom and sides of a carrying case and said rear support being adapted to constitute the top of said case, said side supports and seat member being movable with respect to each other and to said rear support, and being arranged for disposition within the case 4 when the rear support is in position closing the top of the case, there being hinge means connecting the side and rear supports to the seat member.

3. A collapsible travel commode comprising a flat seat member having a seat opening; a container having a mouth portion commensurate in size with the said seat opening; means for detachably securing the mouth portion of the container to the seat member about the opening thereof, to hang pendent therefrom; side and rear supports connected respectively to the side and rear edges of said seat member and arranged to extend downward therefrom for supporting the member in a raised plane; a base engaged with said supports, said base having portions constituting the bottom and sides of a carrying case and said rear support being adapted to constitute the top of said case, said side supports and seat member being movable with respect to each other and to said rear support, and being arranged for disposition within the case when the rear support is in position closing the top of the case, there being hinge means connecting the rear support to the base.

4. A collapsible travel commode comprising a flat seat member having a seat opening; a container having a mouth portion commensurate in size with the said seat opening; means for detachably securing the mouth portion of the container to the seat member about the opening thereof, to hang pendent therefrom; side and rear supports connected respectively to the side and rear edges of said seat member and arranged to extend downward therefrom for supporting the member in a raised plane; a base engaged with said supports, said base having portions constituting the bottom and sides of a carrying case and said rear support being adapted to constitute the top of said case, said side supports and seat member being movable with respect to each other and to said rear support, and being arranged for disposition within the case when the rear support is in position closing the top of the case, there being hinge means connecting the side and rear supports to the seat member, and hinge means connecting the rear support to the base.

5. A collapsible travel commode comprising a flat seat member having a seat opening; a container having a mouth portion commensurate in size with the said seat opening; means for detachably securing the mouth portion of the container to the seat member about the opening thereof, to hang pendent therefrom; side and rear supports connected respectively to the side and rear edges of said seat member and arranged to extend downward therefrom for supporting the member in a raised plane; a base engaged with said supports, said base having portions constituting the bottom and sides of a carrying case and said rear support being adapted to constitute the top of said case, said side supports and seat member being movable with respect to each other and to said rear support, and being arranged for disposition withinthe case when the rear support is in position closing the top, of the case, there being hinge means connecting the sidel and rear supports to the seat member, and hinge means connecting the rear support to the base, said seat member and side and rear supports comprising thin rigid panels, the side supports being foldable against the under side of the seat member, and the latter and the folded side supports being foldable against the front of the said rear support to constitute an assemblage therewith, said.

assemblage being foldable forward and downward to enable the rear support to close the case with the side sup ports and seat member inside.

6. A collapsible travel commode comprising a fiat seat member having a seat opening; a container having a mouth portion commensurate in size with the said seat opening; means for detachably securing the mouth portion of the container to the seat member about the opening thereof, to hang pendent therefrom; side and rear supports connected respectively to the side and rear edges of said seat member and arranged to extend downward therefrom for supporting the member in a raised plane; a base engaged with said supports, said base having portions constituting the bottom and sides of a carrying case and said rear support being adapted to constitute the top of said case, said side support and seat member being movable with respect to each other and to said rear support, and being arranged for disposition within the case when the rear support is in position closing the top of the case, there being hinge means connecting the side and rear supports to the seat member, said hinge means including elongate stiff pins for stiffening and reinforcing the said seat member.

7. A collapsible travel commode comprising a flat seat member having a seat opening, said seat member comprising a thin rigid panel; a rigid ring attachable to the seat member for lining the edges of the seat opening thereof, said ring reinforcing the seat member around said opening; a container having a mouth portion commensurate in size with the said seat opening; means including said rigid ring for detachably securing the mouth portion of the container to the seat member about the opening thereof, to hang pendent therefrom; side and rear supports connected respectively to the side and rear edges of said seat member and arranged to extend downward therefrom for supporting the member in a raised plane; a base engaged with said supports, said base having portions constituting the bottom and sides of a carrying case and said rear support being adapted to constitute the top of said case, said side supports and seat member being movable with respect to each other and to said rear support and being arranged for disposition within the case when the rear support is in position closing the top of the case.

8. A collapsible travel commode comprising a flat seat member having a seat opening; a container having a mouth portion commensurate in size with the said seat opening; means for detachably securing the mouth portion of the container to the seat member about the opening thereof, to hang pendent therefrom; side and rear supports connected respectively to the side and rear edges of said seat member and arranged to extend down- I ward therefrom for supporting the member in a raised plane; a base engaged with said supports, said base having portions constituting the bottom and sides of a carrying case and said rear support being adapted to constitute the top of said case, said side supports and seat member being movable with respect to each other and to said rear support, and being arranged for disposition within the case when the rear support is in position closing the top of the case, there being hinge means connecting the side and rear supports to the seat member, said base having low, upright side panels within and against which the side supports fit to position the latter vertically for supporting the seat member.

9. A collapsible travel commode comprising a'flat seat member having a seat opening; a container having a -mouth portion commensurate in size with the'said seat opening; means for detachably securing the mouth portion of the container to the seat member about the opening thereof, to hang pendent therefrom; side and rear supports connected respectively to the side and rear edges of said seat member and arranged to extend downward therefrom for supporting the member in a raised plane; a base engaged with said supports, said base having portions constituting the bottom and sides of a carrying case and said rear support being adapted to constitute the top of said case, said side supports and seat member being movable with respect to each other' and to said rear support, and being arranged for disposition within the case when the rear support is in position closing the top of the case, there being hinge means connecting the side and rear supports to the seat member, said base having low, upright side panels within and against which the side supports fit to position the latter vertically for supporting the seat member; and a loose, flat, box-like structure adapted for disposition in said case between the lower end portions of the side .supports'to hold' the same adjacent the side panels against inadvertent dislodgement, thereby to prevent'undesired collapse of the seat member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Ser., No. 400,879, Rambold (A.P.C.), published May 

